NHL lockout ends; Colorado Avalanche season saved

After 113 days, including a final, marathon 16-hour day of negotiations in a hotel in New York, the NHL lockout finally ended in the wee hours Sunday morning.

The Denver Post first tweeted news of a tentative deal between the NHL owners and players, with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirming that a tentative deal was done.

"It's a great day for hockey," Colorado forward Matt Duchene told The Denver Post.

"I am absolutely thrilled at the chance to get to wear the Avs jersey this season. I can't wait to get out in front of our amazing fans."

P.A. Parenteau, who signed a four-year, $18 million free-agent contract with the Avs over the summer, said:

Avalanche player Paul Stastny skates with the puck in September. (The Denver Post)

"I'm very exited to start my new adventure in Denver, with all the young good players they have. I'm coming in Tuesday afternoon."

As the news spread so did reaction: "Hey Denver, I have a question for you... Can you say 'Avs Hockey'???" tweeted Duchene.

An abbreviated season will begin, possibly as long as 52 games and no shorter than 48, some time between Jan. 15-20. Final details will be unveiled probably later Sunday.

"We have reached an agreement on the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement," commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters.

The agreement is for 10 years, though either side can opt out after eight years. A main component of the deal calls for a salary cap of $64.3 million in 2013-14, which would be a reduction from the cap of last season, at a little more than $70 million.

Another top detail of the agreement calls for a limit on contracts of seven years (eight if a team signs its own player). Previously, there was no limit on the number of years a player could sign, which led to problems the league felt regarding circumvention of the salary cap.

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